If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Yeah, I really need to call around first. I have Praxair and Desert Industrial as alternatives, and just as nearby, too. Maybe my market here is just that bad. I just don't fill cylinders often enough to know. I don't think any of them have mercy on the little guy, but if they have to quote a price over the phone, there's a chance they might cut it a bit knowing you are shopping around.

Then again, it's not like my business is going to make a difference. If I don't get deals, there's really nothing I can complain about either.

I hear that in Kingman AZ if you bring your oxygen cylinder in on the day they are doing the filling, it's like $10 no matter what size it is. Might check that place out, too. I can always use an excuse to drive to AZ.

Argon

Well, i guess I dont know much, but if you look at the price of bread and milk, argon looks pretty cheap. Also look at the revenue a bottle of argon can produce. (65 is cheap) And by the way I have only been in this business 30 years, and in ths trade for 40!!

Seems High To Me

I'm new to mig welding, just bought a M/M 252, and lovin it.
I just rented a 125 CF tank of C25 for $37.00 total, which I think was my rental fee of $5.00 for the first month, and $32.00 for C25.
Airgas wanted twice as much for the tank rental ($10.00). So needless to say I didn't rent there.
I guess $65.00 would be about the same 330 CF, ?
Just my .02

That is a blanket statement for sure. There are bad Praxairs and any other chain outlet's stores. It depends on the people in charge.
You have to check them out one at a time...just like people.
Airgas gives their people everything they need to be competitive and if they are not then it is from poor management.
If you seen the deals they make with big business then you would understand...it is the salesmen that loose the accounts.
My local Airgas has been the worst welding supply in the world in my mind and then turn around and become the best ever...all due to not only the manager but the attitude of everyone in the store. Sometimes it is even better to be shorthanded than have a bunch of deadweight people who don't give a crap about you or even themselves.
My local Airgas has cut their staff from 5 people to 3 in the last year and even tho it seemed like a bad move at the time it is now apparently a great move. Everyone is not only on the same page now, but it has also freed up their budget somewhat to allow more freedom in pricing if needed.

Mega ditto's on that one! I Have 2 airgas dealers in my area, the closest is 10 miles away, the next is 18 miles from my place. There is an independent a few miles from them and then there are at least 10 more across the river in Portland OR. 5-6 years ago I had hopes of buying some new equipment and getting a small shop started, I went to the Airgas shop closest and had such a bad experience I didn't return until a couple of months ago. (the management had changed) along withe staff! I have had great service from them. UP FRONT I researched the cost and made myself knowledgeable of the type/brands of equipment then I requested a "quote" from each company. When I got the quotes I gave each an opportunity to cut them anyway they could (for immediate cash) sale, I got the best price on the Tig machine from Airgas, and a a better price from the other LWS (in OR) on the Plasma cutter) Bottom line is I didn't jerk their chain! I gave each a shot at my business and (I) made my mind up on what and where I would do business. Now as for gas refills (I purchased the tanks) I am going to the closest distributor and the nickle difference isn't Worth cost to go further!

That is the FREE MARKET SYSTEM! (the consumer votes for the Supplier In or out of business every time he turns loose of his cash) That is my Stimulus plan!! (back to melting metal!)

Mega ditto's on that one! I Have 2 airgas dealers in my area, the closest is 10 miles away, the next is 18 miles from my place. There is an independent a few miles from them and then there are at least 10 more across the river in Portland OR. 5-6 years ago I had hopes of buying some new equipment and getting a small shop started, I went to the Airgas shop closest and had such a bad experience I didn't return until a couple of months ago. (the management had changed) along withe staff! I have had great service from them. UP FRONT I researched the cost and made myself knowledgeable of the type/brands of equipment then I requested a "quote" from each company. When I got the quotes I gave each an opportunity to cut them anyway they could (for immediate cash) sale, I got the best price on the Tig machine from Airgas, and a a better price from the other LWS (in OR) on the Plasma cutter) Bottom line is I didn't jerk their chain! I gave each a shot at my business and (I) made my mind up on what and where I would do business. Now as for gas refills (I purchased the tanks) I am going to the closest distributor and the nickle difference isn't Worth cost to go further!

That is the FREE MARKET SYSTEM! (the consumer votes for the Supplier In or out of business every time he turns loose of his cash) That is my Stimulus plan!! (back to melting metal!)